The temperature topped off at 37.5 degrees centigrade in Ebisu today, which is apparently a record for June. Venturing out into the heat around 1:30 to pick up lunch from Matsuya, I now know what it feels like to be in a hair dryer. Forget frying an egg on the sidewalk, at 37.5 degrees try spit-roasting large game.

Yet another day of snow in Tokyo and I can honestly say the excitement level of a snow storm has not changed since I was five, plus it's Friday.

The view from my cube.

And another from the building roof. On a clear day Mt. Fuji can be viewed in this direction.

What could be stranger than a typhoon in December? How about a beautiful sunny day with a temperature of 25 degrees. Shorts and sandals optional, but surely doable.

Holy crap that was scary! I'm counting eight quakes since 5:56 p.m. between 6.8 M and 5.1 M, six of which were strong enough to get us under the kitchen table. If this keeps up we'll need to buy a larger kitchen table, something that can comfortably fit all three of us during these multiple quake sessions. No damage here but media is reporting two deaths, multiple injuries, damaged homes, blackouts, broken water mains and a derailing a bullet train in Niigata prefecture.

As of this writing (9:02 p.m.) NHK and FNN are saying there may still be another big one tonight. That makes me feel much better. Other accounts in the area Blogd, Wirefarm and Cerebral Soup.

A little known fact (was at least to me) is that during a thunder storm, Japanese children are taught to lean forward and cup their hands over their belly buttons to protect it from the thunder. Apparently, in Japanese folklore, the god of lightning and thunder (Kaminari-sama) is thought to steal belly buttons. I'm not aware of any preference for innies or outties, but I would assume the smell of fear plays a big part (e.g. dogs, bees).

It's raining outside, so better bring an umbrella. Alternatively a raincoat would also suffice, if that's your thing.

A small typhoon hit yesterday when Masako, her parents, Frances and I were on our way to Masako's grandparent's home to show off Frankie. Some hairy moments while on the Tomei Expressway with visibility almost zero.

Not too often do you see a photo with 4 generations together in one shot. This is one to go on the wall. Also some photos of during and after the rains taken from the car and from their front yard.